“A ... anyway,” Nori stuttered. “We need to test this ammo. It’s compatible with Earth guns, and the twenty-twos should be usable even by level zero people. “

“So that’s why you came to see me,” Diamond said, settling back in his chair. He shook his head. “Even if the ammunition works as you hope, there’s no way for you to make enough to make any real difference.”

“That’s half right, man,” Bulco said. “I only made a few, but that guy up in space promised to help us make more. We just need to test them out first. If all works out, we’ll get back with a shuttle full of ammo, then we can all pay a visit to Lou’s Yard and wipe those motherfuckers off the face of the Earth.” He paused, giving the other man a few moments to digest the information. “So, are you with us?”

Diamond nodded slowly. “It all sounds like a badly written sci-fi script to me.” He looked pointedly at the Engineer. “That’s mostly your fault for coming up with that stupid name. But if even half of what you told me is true, I have no choice. I’ll help you with whatever I can. There’s only one problem.”

Nori and Bulco exchanged glances. “What’s that?” the woman asked.

“The people here are too afraid to go out of the shelter. We haven't spotted any Warped lately, which corroborates your story, but there used to be at least five sightings a day before that. Everyone is terrified of being caught out in the open.”

“We brought three fully loaded rifles,” Nori said. “Are you telling me you can’t find three people willing to risk their neck for the chance to save everyone?”

Diamond shrugged. “Well, you have me. As for the other two, you’ll have to recruit them yourself.”

“Get your pansy-ass guards together, and I’ll beat some sense into them,” Bulco growled.

“I’ll call them, but I need a favor: don’t tell them about Lou’s Yard and the presence of the Warped-mother. There’ll be panic and chaos if people think they’re not safe. I can’t have that—we’re barely holding on as it is.”

Bulco nodded slowly. “Alright, we’ll keep our mouths shut.”

They waded back through the maze of impromptu huts. Twenty guards were waiting for them at the shelter’s exit, exchanging nervous glances.

“We’re going out to hunt us a few Warped,” Bulco declared in his booming voice. “I got alien-augmented rifles for the first three volunteers, who’s with me?”

Diamond stepped forward smoothly. “Count me in. I’m ready to do a little monster-dicing.”

Bulco nodded. “Anyone else?”

The guards looked at each other with uncertainty, then looked away.

“Really? No one else?” Bulco’s voice was full of contempt.

No one dared to look him in the eyes.